A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, leaving devastation in its wake. With over 1,700 confirmed fatalities in Myanmar alone and significant damage in neighboring Thailand, search and rescue operations are ongoing.
More Survivors Pulled from the Rubble
Amid the destruction, glimmers of hope emerge. Nearly 60 hours after the quake, four more survivors were rescued from a collapsed school in Myanmar’s Sagaing region. Tragically, a body was also recovered from the same site.
The disaster has left hundreds missing, and rescue teams are racing against time to find more survivors. In Thailand, 18 people have died in the capital, Bangkok, with 76 construction workers still unaccounted for following the collapse of an unfinished high-rise building.
Widespread Impact of the Earthquake
The earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, along the Sagaing fault. Its shallow depth—just 10km (6.2 miles) below the surface—intensified its impact, with tremors felt in multiple countries. A second earthquake, registering 6.4 in magnitude, struck shortly afterward, with aftershocks continuing through the weekend.
Delays and Challenges in Rescue Efforts
Despite international aid efforts, reaching the hardest-hit areas has been slow. Many locals have been forced to dig through debris with their bare hands in search of loved ones.
In Bangkok, weak signals of life have been detected under the collapsed high-rise, but rescuers face challenges due to structural instability. Thai authorities are investigating possible construction flaws, with reports suggesting anomalies in the steel used in the building’s structure.
Global Response and Humanitarian Aid
Nations worldwide have mobilized to assist Myanmar in this crisis. International rescue teams have been deployed, including
- China: 82-person rescue team
- Hong Kong: 51-person team
- India: Aid flight carrying a rescue team and emergency supplies
- Malaysia: 50-person team for disaster relief
- Additional support from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ireland, South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, and the US
- UK: Pledging £10 million in aid
Ongoing Conflict and Additional Threats
Myanmar’s military junta, which seized power in 2021, has continued airstrikes in conflict zones even amid the natural disaster. Rebel groups opposing the regime have declared a two-week ceasefire in affected areas to aid recovery efforts.
Further challenges loom as Myanmar braces for monsoon season. Heavy rains could worsen the humanitarian crisis, especially in areas already struggling with infrastructure damage from the quake.
